NC Senate race to see addition of Michael Whatley, following Lara Trump's withdrawal
The race for the open North Carolina Senate seat is heating up, with Michael Whatley, the current Republican National Committee chair, announcing his intention to run as a member of the Republican Party. This development comes after Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) announced he won't be seeking reelection.
Whatley, who has helmed the RNC since March of last year, is expected to face off against former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper (D) in the highly anticipated contest. The North Carolina Senate race is widely viewed as one of the best pickup opportunities for Democrats in the 2026 cycle, given the historically challenging midterm landscape for the party in power.
The National Republican Senatorial Committee had been quietly floating Whatley as a potential contender to replace Tillis, and NRSC Chairman Tim Scott met with Whatley about the potential Senate bid. Whatley's candidacy has gained favour with Trump due to his backing of efforts to contest the 2020 election results.
Interestingly, Lara Trump, who was born in Wilmington, North Carolina, was considering a potential Senate bid. However, she has recently confirmed she has decided not to run for the North Carolina Senate seat. Lara Trump currently hosts an eponymous "My View" Fox News show.
The North Carolina Senate contest is not the only race on Whatley's radar. Sen. Susan Collins' (R-Maine) seat is open in the 2026 cycle, and Whatley is rumoured to be considering a run for that seat as well.
Republicans will have to defend 22 of the 35 seats in the upper chamber up for grabs in 2026. Historically, the party in the White House faces headwinds in midterm elections, but that hasn't always been the case for Senate races. The party out of power often benefits from a wave election, as was seen in 2018 when Democrats flipped several Senate seats.
Roy Cooper is rumoured to kick off his campaign within the coming days, setting the stage for a fiercely contested race in the Old North Star State. The outcome of this race could have significant implications for the balance of power in the Senate in the 118th Congress.
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